Train control system



Aug.- 15, 1933. J SORENSEN 1,922,1 13

TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Dec. 12, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l l N V E N TO R find/Wm 501621.56

ATTORNEY 1 1933- A. J. SORENSEN 1,922,113

TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Dec. 12, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v INVENTOR fludrmr fiorezzsen/ BY 6351M 11 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 15, 1933 PATENT OFFICE TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM Andrew J. Sorcnsen, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to r The Union Switch & Signal Company, Swissva le, Pa., a Corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 12, 1931. Serial No. 580,663

29 Claims. (01. 24663) The present invention relates to train control systems and comprehends both trackway circuit systems, train-carried equipment and a combination of the two.

The main, though not the only, object and,

feature of the invention'is to obtain a great many indications by what may be called a system of permutation in the use of relatively few and simple means;

In the accompanying drawings the invention is disclosed. in a concrete and preferred though somewhat cliagrammaticform in which:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic representation ofa trackway equipment embodying the invention;

and

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a train-carried equipment embodying the invention. i

The trackway element to be supplied with current consists here of the traffic rails marked T1 and T2which inay be arranged in blocks in a wellunderstood manner, the usual direction of trainc being indicated by an arrow; A source of current here represented by oscillator Osc is suitably connected to said rails by'means of leads T3 and T4, and a plurality of currentmodifying means 1 are employed to modify the current delivered by the oscillator to the rails, said means being here indicated by modulators M1, M2 and M3 each of which imparts to the current a distinct characteristic differentfrom that imparted by any other of the plurality of current-modifying means; As an example, the carrier current delivered by the oscillator or other source may be of a frequency of fivehundred cycles per second, and-the three modifying means may modify the current by imparting to it a frequency of twenty, thirtyand forty to describe the particular means to produce these effects as they are well understood. The means whereby different traffic conditions can be established may vary and can be controlled either manually as from a dispatchers station, or automatically by the trafficconditions of other blocks as will be evident, In the exemplification given, three relays 1, 2 and 3 are shown, and these relays constitute a plurality of selective means which have contacts that directly control the modulators, andyalso have contacts that control circuits leading toa plurality of series of contacts controlled by timed circuit-closing, means which in turn control the modulators in different groupings. The number of selective means, modulators and series of contacts may obviously cycles per second respectively. It is unnecessary vary according to the number of indications desired but, as pointed out previously, there are in the present case three selective means and three modulators. Associated, with these are here four timed circuit-closing and opening means, represented by four constantly and relatively slowlyv rotating cams 23, 13, 12 and 123 whichcontrol contacts and circuits as will pres-- ently appear, it being pointed out here that cam 123 controls three contacts, while the other cams control only two, and further that no two contacts controlled by the same cam are simultaneously closed.

When relay 1 only is energized, modulator M1 is connected to the: oscillator continuously during that traffic condition as follows: From oscillator Osc by wire 62, over front contact 1a and back contacts 2b and Ed in series, wires and 52 to modulator M1, and then by Wire 64 to oscillator Osc. The rail current is therefore modulated by M1.

When relay 2 only is energized, modulator M2 is connected continuously during that traific condition as follows: From oscillator Osc by wire 62, over back contact 119, front contact and back contact 3f in series, and then by wire 51 to modulator M2, and by wires 640 and 64 back to oscillator Osc. The rail current is therefore modulated by M2. H V V I When relay 3 only is energized, modulator M3 is connected to the oscillator, continuously dur-' ing that traffic condition as follows: from oscillator Osc by wire 62, over back contacts lb and 2d and front contact By in series, and then by wire to modulator M3, and by wires 640 and 64 back to oscillator Osc. The rail current is therefore modulated by M3. When relays 1 and 2 are simultaneously energized, the rail current will be modulated alternately, during that traffic condition, by modulators M1 and M2 as follows: from oscillator Osc by Wire 62 over front contacts 1a and 2a and backcontact 3b in series,wire 21 and, when cam 12 closes contact 12a, by wires 58 and 51 to modulator M2 and wires 640 and 64 back to oscillator Osc; and, when cam 12 closes contact 12b, over wires 57 and 52 to modulator M1 and then by wire 64 back to oscillator, Osc. When relays 1 and 3 aresirnultaneously energized, the rail current will be modulated alternately, during that traffic condition, .by modu- 2?) and front contact 3c in series, wire 31 and,

when cam 13 closes contact 13a, by wires 56 and to modulator M3 and wires 64,0 and 6% to oscillator Osc; and, when cam 13 closes contact 131), by wires and 52 to modulator M1 and by wire 64 back to oscillator Osc.

When relays 2 and 3 are simultaneously energized, the rail current will be modulated alternately, during that trafiic condition, by medulators M2 and M3 as follows: from oscillator Osc by wire 62, over back contact 11) and front contacts 20 and 3c in series, by wire 32 and then, when cam 23 closes contact 23a, by wires 54 and 50 to modulator M3, and by wires 640 and '64 to oscillator Osc; and, when cam 23 closes contact 232), over wires 53 and 51 to modulator M2 and then by Wires 640 and 64 to oscillator Osc.

When relays l, 2 and 3 are all simultaneously energized, the rail current will be modulated successively or in turn, during that trafiic condition, by modulators M1, M2 and M3 as fol lows: from oscillator Osc by wire 2, over front contacts 1a, 2a and 3a in series, wire 321 and, when cam 123 closes contact i, by wires 59 and 52 to modulator M1 and by wire 64 back to oscillator Osc; when cam 123 closes contact 5, by wires 60 and 51 to modulator M2 and then by wires 640 and 6% back to oscillator 050; and, when cam 123 closes contact 6, by wires 61 and 50 to modulator M3 and then by wires 640 and 64 back to oscillator Osc.

When relays l, 2 and S all deenergized then, during that traillc condition, no modulator will 'be connected to the oscillator, and hence the unmodified carrier current from Osc will be impressed on the rails.

From the foregoing it will be understood that one feature of the invention resides in havinga plurality of currentonodifying means each capable of imparting to the current a distinct characteristic different from that imparted by any of the others, and circuit means to cause said plurality of current-modifying means to successively but not simultaneously modify said current under a given traffic condition. And further, that one of said current-modifying means may modify the current under another traillc condition, an still another may modify'it under yet another trafiic condition. It will also be seen that the system embodies a series or" contacts such as l, 5 and 6; 12a and 12b; 13a and 13b; and 28a and 23?), one series controlling one group of current-modifying means'such M2 and M3, and another series controlling another group of current-modifying means such as M1 and M3 etc, that the same currentmodifying means is included in more than one group, and that each contact, such as 12!; and 12b, of each series of contacts controls a circuit of a current-modifying means. Furthermore, that there are driven means, such as earns 12, 13 etc, to successively close and open the contacts of each series of contacts, and that there are selective means, such as relays 1, 2 and 3, to close a circuit leading to one or another series of contacts. Another aspect of the construction is that there is associated with the plurality of current-modifying means (M1, M2, M3) control means (relays, cams and circuits) whereby the on rent can be modified in 'a number of different ways greater than the number of ourrent-modifying means, in fact greater than twice is constructed so as to cooperate with the trackway system just described. A plurality of control means, here represented by relays I, II and III, is provided, each of said control means being effectively responsive to current of a distinct characteristic, and no two being effectively responsive to current having the same characteristic. Thus relay I is responsive to the current modulated by M1 or to the traffic condition prevailing when relay 1 is energized; II is responsive to M2 etc. etc. Any suitable means can be utilized to render relays I, II and III respon sive to the influence of the trackway current. As here shown, there is a pick-up circuit P in an inductive relation to the trafiic rails by means of coil R, said circuit also including a suitable filtering means Ft or condenser that tunes the circuit to resonance at the frequency of the carrier current from Use. Said circuit may also include an amplifier Amp that amplifies the current picked up from the traffic rails. Relays I, II and III are direct-current relays and are connected in parallel with circuit P, there being full-wave rcctifiers P1, P2 and P3 interposed in the connections, and there being further suitable filtering or tuning means such c0ndenser-reactor units F1, F2 and F3 to tune each individual circuit to resonance at the frequency of the current to'which the particular circuit is intended to respond; that is, the circuit of I is tuned to resonance at the frequency of modulater M1 and so on. A, B and 0 denote indication means, here represented by a series of lamps; and suitable contacts are controlled by relays I, II and III to light the lamps in accordance with the energization of said relays. 213, I and G denote another indication means, here also represented by a series of lamps, to indicate when two or more of relays I, II and III are energi'ed in turn during the same traffic condition. The means to control lamps D, E, F and G from relays I, II and III consist in this instance of three other relays IV, V and VI, each of which is energized only when at least two of the controlling relays I, II and III are being energized, but no two of which are effectively responsive to the same two controlling relays. This is accomplished by providing an iron core transformer (XII, XIII or XXIII) in connection with each of the controlled relays IV, V and VI and by effectively energizing the secondaries of said transformers only when two of the controlling relays are being alternately energized. To this end. each half of a p a transformer is controlled by a different controlling relay, and each controlling relay controls the halves of the primaries of at least two transformers. Relays IV, V and VI here direct-current slow-release relays and are connected to the secondaries of the transformer; through the intermediacy of full-wave rectifier-s P4, P5 P6. Relays IV, V and VI are suf ficiently slow acting to remain effectively energized during the respective interruptions accomplished by cams l2, 13, 23 and 123.

When relay 1 of Fig. 1 is energized and medulator M1 is modifying the rail current, then relay I of Fig. 2 will be continuously energized, and current will flow from terminal B+ of a source of current, such as a battery, through front contact 'la, wire W51, right-hand halves of the primaries of transformers XII and XIII, to wire W 0 and to terminal B of the same source. This current will not effectively energize relays VI and V and hence these relays, as well relay IV will not pick up their contacts. Current will therefore flow from terminal 13+ by way all wire W50 and back contacts XXIII.

halves of the primary of transformer XII are of wire WSiindication lamp A, front contact Ibywire W50, and back contacts IVb, Vb, and VII) in series", to terminals.l3. 1 5

uWhen relay 210i 1 is energized and modulator M2 ismodiiyingthe rail current, relayII of willube continuously energized, and current then will pass from terminal .B+ by way of wire Woo. over front contact: He, by way of wire W52 to iefthandhalf of primary of tran for1ner XII and righthand half of primary oi transformer.XXIII to terminal B. This current willnot eiiectively energize. relays VI and IV and hence these relays, as well rhay V,

will notpicl: up their contacts. viCurrent will thereioreyiiow. from terminalsB-t, by way oi Wire W54 to lamp B, over front contact III) to IV'c, Vb and VIZ) in seriesptoterminal B. i o i -Whcn relay 3 of Fig. 1 is energized'and mod-- ulator M3 is 'modifying the rail current, relay III of Fig. 2iwill be continuously energized, and currentwwill then flow from terminal 'B-{-, by way of wirevWoo and front contact IIIirto wire W53 and to the left-hand halves of the pri- WM to lamp C, front contact IIIb, wire W50,

and back contacts IVb, Vb and VII) m series terminal B When relays 1 and 2of.Fig. 1 are botheri- I ergized and modulators M1 and MZare alter nately modifying the rail current, relays I and II of Fig. '2 are alternately energized. As has been pointed out previously, when relay I is energized current passes through the right- 1; hand halves of the primaries of transformers XII and XIII, and every time relay IIisenergized current will passthrough'the left-hand half of the primary of. transformer XII ant right-hand half of the primary of, transformer It willtherefore be seen that the two energized alternately in such relative directions as to magnetize the iron core of the transformer in oppositedirections and said core will undergo periodic reversals of flux whereby an alternating current iscaused to flowin the secondary of said transformer and in thefull-wave rectifier associated therewith. The secondaries of transformers XIII and. XXIII will howevernot be effectively energized. In other words: only nately modifying the rail current, relays I and III of Fig. 2 are alternately energized. As previously described; relay I will energize the righthand. halves of the primary of transformers XII and XIII and relayIII will energize the left-hand halves. of the primariesof transforniers XIII and XXIII. Thus relay V only will be energized and consequently,current will-flow,

.; from terminal Ble; by wire :W 54;, lamp, E, back contact IVc, front contactVc and back contact VII) in series, to terminal B.

.When relays ZJand f I are both energized and modulators M2 and M3 are alternately ,modifyingthe rail current; relays II and (5, front contacts IVd, V0,

III of Fig. 2 are alternately energized. Relay II will therefore energize left-hand half of primary of transformer XII and right-hand half of pri mary of transformer XXIII, and relay III will energize the left-hand halves of the primaries of transformers XIII. and XXIII. Thus. only relay IV will beenergized and thtareforccurrent will flow from terminal l3-[-, by wire W54, lamp D, front" contact IVa, and back contacts Vb and VIZ) in series, to terminal B-.

When relays l, 2 and 3.01 Fig. l are all onergized and modulators M1, M2 andM3 are in turn modiiyingthe rail current, relays I, II and III of Fig. 2 are energized in turn and it will be apparent from what has gone before that both halves of the primaries of all three transformers XII, XIII and XXIII will be energized in such a manner that all three relays IV, V and VI become energized. Current will therefore pass from terminal 13+, by wire W54, lamp and VIa in series, to terminal B. I

When relays l, 2 and 3 of' Fig. 1 are all deenergized, and unmodified carrier current is transmitted to the rails of oscillator Use, or if no current is transmitted to the rails, then relays LE and III. of Fig. 2 also remain deen ergized andso will relays IV, V andVI. Current will therefore flow fromterminal 13+, by wire W54, lamp H, back contacts IIIc, 11c and I0 in'series, wire W and back .contacts IVb,

VI) and VII: in series, to terminal B.

I claim:

1. A circuit system including: a source of current, a plurality of current-modifying means tinct characteristic different from that imparted by any other of the plurality of. current-" modifying means, a plurality of selective means, capable of individual actuation one to cause one and another to cause another of the plurality of current-modifying means to modify each capable of imparting to the current a disthe current, and capable of simultaneous actuation to thereby cause the plurality of currentmodii'ying means to act in turnto modify the current, a plurality of controlmeans each responsive to the influence of current of a dis- "tinct characteristic and no two control means responsive to current having the same characteristic, and means to indicate the energization. of a single control means or the energizationin turn of a plurality of control means.

2. A circuit system including: a source of current, a plurality of'current-modifying means each capable of imparting to the current adistinct characteristic different from that impart ed by any other of the plurality of currentof a single control means or the; energization in turnof a plurality of control means in difierent groupings. I I

3. A train control system including: atraek way element, a source ofcurrent to be connected to the trackway element, a plurality of current-modifying means each capable; of imparting to the current a distinct characteristic different from that imparted by any other of the plurality] of current-modifying means, a plurality of selective means, capable of individual actuation one to cause one and another to cause another of the plurality of currentmodifying means to modify the current, and capable of simultaneous actuation to thereby cause the plurality of current-modifying means to act in turn, during the same traffic condition, to modify the current, a train, a plurality of train-carried control means each responv sive to the influence of trackway current of a distinct characteristic and no two control means responsive to current having the same characteristic, and train-carried means to indicate the energization of a single control means or the energization in turn of a plurality of control means.

4. A train control system including: a trackway element, a source of current to be connected to the trackway element, a plurality of current modifying means each capable of imparting to the current a distinct characteristic different from that imparted by any other of the plurality of cu1rentmodifying.rneans, a plurality of selective means, capable of individual actuation one to cause one and another to cause another of the plurality of currentmodifying means to modify the current, and capable of simultaneous actuation in different groupings to thereby cause the plurality of current-modifying means to act in turn and in different groupings to modify the current, a train, a train-carried plurality of control means each responsive to the influence of trackway current of a distinct characteristic and no two control means responsive to the influence of current having the same characteristic, and train-carried means to indicate the energization of a single control means or the energization in turn of a plurality of control means in different groupings.

5. A train control system including: a trackway element to be supplied with current, a source of current connected to the trackway element, two current-modifying means each capable of imparting to the current a distinct characteristic different from that imparted by the other, two selective means; capable of individual actuation one to cause one and the other to cause the other current-modifying means to modify the current, and capable of simultaneous actuation to thereby cause the two currentmodifying means to act in alternation to modify the current, a train, three indication means on the train, and two train-carried controlling means, one effectively responsive to the influence of trackway current having one and the other effectively responsive to the influence of trackway current having another distinct characteristic and one of which when energized controls one indication means, and the other of which when energized controls another indication means, and both of which when energized in alternation control the third indication means.

6. A circuit system including: a source of current, two. .current modifying means each capable of imparting to the current a distinct characteristic different from that imparted by the other, two selective means, capable of individual actuation one to cause one and the other to cause the other current-modifying means to modify the current, and capable of simultaneous actuation to thereby cause the two currentmodifying means to act in alternation to modify the current, three indication means, and two controlling means, one effectively responsive to the influence of current having one and the other effectively responsive to the influence of current having another distinct characteristic, and one of which when energized controls one indication means, and the other of which when energized controls another indication means, and both of which when energized in alternation control the third indication means.

7. A circuit system including: a source of current, two current modifying means each capable of imparting to the current a distinct characteristic different from that imparted by the other, two selective means, capable of individual actuation one to cause one and the other to cause the other current-modifying means to modify the current, and capable of simultaneous actuation to thereby cause the two currentmodifying means to act in alternation to modify the current, and two controlling means, one effectively responsive to the influence of current having one and the other effectively responsive to the influence of. current having another distinct characteristic, and one of which when energized gives one indication, and the other of which when energized gives another indication and both of which when energized in alternation give a third indication.

8. A train control system including: a trackway element to be supplied with current, a source of current connected to the trackway element, two current-modifying means each capable of imparting to the current a distinct characteristic different from that imparted by the other, two selective means, capable of individual actuation one to cause one and the other to cause the other current-modifying means to modify the current, and capable of simultaneous actuation to there by cause the two current-modifying means to act in alternation to modify the current, a train, and two train-carried controlling means, one effectively responsive to the influence of current having one and the other effectively responsive to the influence of current having another distinct characteristic, and one of which when energized gives one indication, and the other of which when energized gives another indication and both of which when energized in alternation give a third indication.

9. A trackway circuit system including: a trackway element to be supplied with current, a source of current connected to said trackway element, a plurality of current-modifying means each capable of imparting a distinct characteristic to the current different from the characteristic imparted by any other of such currentmodifying means, a series of contacts controlling one group of the plurality of current-modifying means, another series of contacts controlling a different group of the plurality of ourrent-modifying means, the same individual current-modifying means being included in more than one group and each contact of each series controlling a circuit of a current-modifying means, means to successively close and open the contacts of each series, and means to close a circuit leading to one or another series of contacts.

10. A trackway circuit system including: a trackway element to be supplied with current, a source of current connected to said trackway element, a plurality of currentemodifying means each capable of imparting a distinct characteristic to the current different from the characteristic imparted by any other of such current modifying means, a series of contacts controlling one group of the plurality of current-modifying means, another series of contacts controlling a different group of the pluralityof cllrrent-modifying means, the same individuai current-modifying means being included in more than one group and each contact of each cries controllinga circuit of a current-modifying means, means to successively close and openthe contacts of each series, and means to close a circuit leading to one or another series of contacts or to close one or another circuit controlling oneor another mdifying means independently of the series of contacts.

1 1. A track-circuit system including: a traffic tracksection the rails of which are to be supplied with current, a source of current connected of contacts controlling one group of the plurality of current-modifying means, another series fying means each capable of imparting a distinct characteristic to the current different from: the characteristic imparted by any other of the plurality of current-modifying means, a series of contacts controllingone groupof the plurality of current-modifying means, anotherseries of contacts controlling a different group of the plurality of current-modifying means, the same individual current-modifying means being ineluded in more than onegroup'and each contact. 'of each series controlling a circuit of a current-modifying means, means to successively close and open the contacts of each series,

means to closea circuit leading to one or run other series of contacts, and means to close a circuit leading to one or another series of con tacts or to close one or another circuit controlling one or another modifying means independ ently of the series of contacts. I

'13..A circuit system-including: a plurality of controlling means each effectively responsive to current having a distinct characteristic and no two of them effectively responsive to current having the same characteristic, a plurality of transformers each half of each of the primaries "of "said transformers being controlled bya controlling: means, each controlling means controlling one-half of each of the primaries of two transformers, and no two, 1 transformers being controlled by the same two controlling means,

, a plurality of relays each to be effectively energized when both halves of thejprimary of a transformer arebeing energized andno relay be ingcontrolled by more than one transformer,

having the same characteristic, a plurality of 1 transformers, each half .of each of the primaries of said transformers being controlled by a controlling means, each controlling means controlling one halfof each of the primaries of two transformers, and no two transformers being controlled by the same two controlling means, a plurality of relays each to be effectively energized when both halves of the primary of a transformer are being alternately energized and no relay being controlled by more than one transformer, and a plurality of indication means each controlled by a relay different from that which controls any other indication means.

15. A circuit system including: a plurality of controlling means each effectively responsive to current having a distinct characteristic and no two of them effectively responsive to current having the same characteristic, a plurality of transformers, each half of each of the primaries of said transformers being controlled by a controlling means, each controlling means control ling one-half of each of the primaries of two transformers, and no two transformers being controlled by the same two controlling means, a

plurality of relays each to be effectively ener a plurality of indication means each controlled by relay different from that which controls any other indication means, and another plurality of indication means, each controlled by a controlling means different from that controlling any other indication means.

16. A circuit system including: aplurality of ling one-half of each of the primaries of two transformers, and no two transformers being controlled by the same two controlling means, a

each controlled by a relay different fromthat which controls any other indication means, and another plurality of indication means, each controlled by a controlling means different from that controlling any other indication means.

17. A train control system including: a trackplurality of current modifying means each capable of imparting a distinct characteristic to the current different fromthe characteristic imparted by any other of the plurality of currentcessivelybut not simultaneously modify said currentunder a given traffic condition, a trainga' train-carriedplurality of controlling means each effectively responsive to the influence of trackway current having a distinct characteristic and no two of them effectively responsive to the infiuence of trackway current having the same characteristic, a plurality of train-carried relays each to be effectively energized only when at least two of the controlling means are being energized and no two of said relays being effectively responsive to the same two controlling means, and a plurality of train-carried indication means each controlled by a relay different from that which controls any other indication means.

18. A train control system including: a trackway element to be supplied with current, a source of current connected to said trackway element, a plurality of current-modifying means each capable of imparting a distinct characteristic to the current different from the characteristic im-- parted by any other of the plurality of currentmodifying means, circuit means to cause said plurality of current-modifying means to successively but not simultaneously modify said current under a given traffic condition, a train, a train carried plurality of controlling means each effectively responsive to the influence of trackway current having a distinct characteristic and no two of them effectively responsive to the influence of trackway current having the same characteristic, a plurality of train-carried transformers, each half of each of the primaries of said transformers being controlled by a controlling means, each controlling means controlling one-half of each of the primaries of two transformers, and no two transformers being controlled by the same two controlling means, a plurality of train-carried relays each to be effectively energized when both halves of a transformer are being energized, and a plurality of indication means each controlled by a relay different from that which controls any other indication means.

19. A train control system including: A trackway element to be supplied with current, a source of current connected to said trackway element, a plurality of current-modifying means each capable of imparting a distinct character istic to the current different from the characteristic imparted by any other of the plurality of current-modifying means, circuit means to cause said current-modifying means, one under one traflic condition and another under another traffic condition, to individually modify said current and to cause said plurality of current-modifying means to successively but not simultaneously modify said current under yet another traffic condition, a train, a train-carried plurality of controlling means each effectively responsive to the influence of trackway current having a distinct characteristic and no two of them effectively responsive to the influence of trackway current having the same characteristic, a plurality of train-carried relays each to be effectively energized only when at least two of the controlling means are being energized and no two of said relays being effectively responsive to the same two controlling means, a plurality of train-carried indication means each controlled by a relay different from that which controls any other indication means, and another train-carried plurality of indication means each controlled by a controlling means different from that controlling any other indication means.

20. A train control system including: a trackway element to be supplied with current, a

;source of current connected to said trackway element, a plurality of current-modifying means each capable of imparting a distinct characteristic to the current different from the characteristic imparted by any other of the plurality of current-modifying means, circuit means to cause said current-modifying means, one under one traffic condition and another under another traffic condition, to individually modify said current and to cause said plurality of currentmodifying means to successively but not simultaneously modify said current under yet another traffic condition, a train, a train-carried plurality of controlling means each effectively responsive to the influence of trackway current having a distinct characteristic and no two of them effectively responsive to the influence of trackway current having the same characteristic, a plurality of train-carried transformers, each half of each of the primaries of said transformers being controlled by a'controlling means, each controlling means controlling one-half of each of the primaries of two transformers, and no two transformers being controlled by the same two controlling means, a plurality of train-carried relays each to be effectively energized when both halves of a transformer are being energized, a plurality of indication means each controlled by a relay different from that which controls any other indication means, and another train-carried plurality of indication means each controlled by a controlling means different from that controlling any other indication means. i

21. A train control system including: a traffic track section the rails of which are to be supplied With current, a source of current connected to said rails, a plurality of current-modifying means each capable of imparting a distinct characteristic to the current different from the characteristic imparted by any other of the plurality of current-modifying means, circuit means to cause said plurality of current-modifying means to successively but not simultaneously modify said current under a given traffic condition, a train, a train-carried plurality of controlling means each effectively responsive to the influence of trackway current having a distinct characteristic and no two of them effectively responsive to trackway current having the same characteristic, a plurality of train-carried relays each to be effectively energized only when at least two of the controlling means are being energized and no two of said relays being effectively responsive to the same two controlling means, and a plurality of train-carried indica- 'tion means each controlled by a relay different from that which controls any other indication means.

22. A train control system including: a traffic track section the rails of which are to be supplied With current, a source of current connected to said rails, a plurality of current-modifying means each capablev of imparting a distinct characteristic to the current different from the characteristic imparted by any other of the plurality of current-modifying means, circuit means to cause said plurality of current-modifying means to successively but not simultaneously modify said current under a given traffic condition, a train, a train-carried plurality of controlling means each effectively responsive to the influence of trackway current having a distinct characteristic and no two of them effectively responsive to the influence of trackway current having the same characteristic, a pluof said 1 one trafii rality of train-carried transformers, each half of each of the primaries of said transformers being controlled by a controlling means, each controlling means controlling one-half of each of the primaries; of two trai'isformers and no two transfcrmers'being controlled by the same two controlling means, a plurality of train-carried; relays eac to be effectively energized when both haivesof a transformer are being ener gizcd, and a plurality of indication means each controlled by a relay different from that which controls any other indicationmcans.

A train control system including: a traiiic track section the rails of which are to be supplied with current, a sourceof current connect-- ed to rails, a plurality of current-modifying means each capable of imparting a distinct char act-eristic to the current different from the characteristic imparted by any other of the plurality of current-modifying means, circuit means to cause said current-1nodifying means, one under one traffic condition and another .Jider another traffic condition, to individua y modify said ourr it and to cause said plurali ,y of current-modi j fy, g means to successively out not simultanecurrent having the same characteristic, a pin rality of train-carried relays each to be effectively enei d only when atleast two of the cont olling ,ns are being energized and no two same two contro traih-carried in g means, and a plurality of ication means each controlled by a relay different from thatwhich controls any other indication means. i

Q tic in'iparted by any other of the plurality of current-modifying means, circuit means to cause fid cu ..e under trainc condition, to individually modify said cure rent and to cause said plurality of. curre11tmodi-- tying; means to successively but not simultaneously mod fy current under yet another traffic condition, a train, a train-carried plurality said relays being effectively responsive to the same two controlling means, a plurality of traincarried indication meanseach controlled by a relay different from that which controls any other indication means. and another train-carried plurality of in ,lcation means each controlled a ccntrcliinr means different from that controlling any other i dicaticn means. i I

Atu 11 control system including: a trafiic track ionthe rails of which. are to be supplied with current, a source of current co 'inected II to said rails, a plurality of current-modifying trailic cond; rent and to cause said plurality of current-modifying means to ccessively but not simultaneousbeing effectively responsive to the means each capable of imparting a distinct characteristic to the current diiferent fromthe characteristic imparted by any other of the plurality of c rrent modifying means, circuit means to cause said current-modifying means, one under one. traffic condition and another under another n, to individually modify said ouriy modify said current under yet another traiiic condition, a train, atraiincarri d plurality of controlling neans each effectively responsive to the influence of tracirway current having a distinct characteristic and no two of them effectively responsive to the influence of trackwaycurrent having the came characteristic, a plurality of train-carried transformers, each half of each of the primaries of said transformers being controlled by a controlling means, each controlling means controlling one-half of each of the primaries of two transformers, and no two transform rs being controlled by the same two controlling means, a plurality of train-carried relays each tobe effectively energized when both halves of a transformer are being energized, a plurality of indication means, each controlled by a relay difierent from that which controls any other indication means, and another train-carried plurality of indication means, each con trolled by a controlling means different from that controlling any other indication means.

26.4% circuit system including: a plurality of controlling means each effectively responsive to current having a distinct characteristicand no two of them effectively responsive to current 119 having the same characteristic, a plurality of transformers, each half of each of theprimaries of said transformers being controlled by a controlling'means, each controlling means controlling one-half of each of the primaries of two 1 transformers, and no two transformers being controlled by the same two controlling means, and a plurality of relays each to be effectively energized. when both halves of the primary of a transformer are energized, and no relay being controlled by more than one transformer.

27. In a trackway circuit system, a traclrway element to be supplied with current, a sourceof current connected to said trackway element, a plurality of current-modifying means each capable of imparting a distinct characteristic to the current different from the oharacteris "c imparted by any other oi the plurality of current-modifying means, and circuit means in eluding: constantly driven circuit closing and opening means, and a plurality of relays, each of which when energized separately establishes a circuit, independently of the control exercised by the constantly driven means. between its complementary cu rentnnodifying means and the current source. and said relays when simultaneously energized establishing successively but not sin'iultaneously, in combination with the concurrent connected to said trackway element,

a plurality of current'modifying means each capable of imparting-a distinctcharacteristic to the current different from the characteristic imparted by any other of the plurality of 7 cu rent-modifying means, and circuit means ineluding: constantly rotating circuit controlling cams, and a plurality of relays, each of which when energized separately establishes a circuit, independently of the control exercised by the cams, between its complementary current-modifying means and the current source, and said relays when simultaneously energized establishing successively but not simultaneously, in combination with the cams, circuits between the plurality of current-modifying means and the current source.

29. In a trackway circuit system, a trackway element to be supplied with current, a source of current connected to said trackway element, three current-modifying means each capable of imparting a distinct characteristic to the current different from the characteristic imparted by any of the others, and circuit means including: four constantly rotating circuit controlling cams, and three relays, each of which when energized separately establishes a circuit, independently of the control exercised by the cams, between its complementary currentmoditying means and the current source, said relays when simultaneously energized in groups of two establishing, successively but not simultaneously, in combination with one of three of the four cams, depending upon which two of the relays are energized, different circuits between two of the three current-modifying means and the current source, and said relays when all are simultaneously energized establishing, successively but not simultaneously, in combination with the fourth cam, circuits between all three current-modifying means and the current source.

ANDREW J. SORENSEN. 

